Gym fear? It happens. Although most of us don’t give much thought to walking through the gym door for our next workout, some of us do actually fear it. I understand. The gym can be an intimidating place when we are feeling less than our best or, perhaps, just starting out on our journey towards fitness as a first time member. We may feel that everyone is looking at us or judging us for our lack of fitness perfection or our perceived clumsiness on the machines, that those we view as perfect 10′s are wondering what in the heck we are doing there looking like we do. You can trust me on this one. They are not. Take a big breath and a tip from Mrs. Roosevelt. Walk through your fear. I promise you’ll be just fine. It happens! My Very Best to You. Ted
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt
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I’m often surprised by how much ‘What People Will Think’ matters to those who don’t work out at a gym – and how it becomes one of the first (of many) excuses for not integrating exercise into their daily life. The mere thought of being seen at the gym seems to dredge up Near-Traumatic levels of insecurities ranging from body image, to modesty issues undressing in the locker room, to competitive comparisons of perceived inadequacy. The list of rationalizations goes on and on, but FEAR of the gym environment is a show-stopper for many.
Frankly as I gaze around the gym – I have nothing but admiration and respect for EVERYONE who’s shown up there – From Scrawny to Brawny, Flabby to Fabulous, Terribly Plain to Extraordinarily Vain — Because at least they actively choose from day to day to try to make a difference in their life, wellness, stress levels, and overall appearance.
Thank you BPB! To quote you: ” Because at least they actively choose from day to day to try to make a difference in their life, wellness, stress levels, and overall appearance.” This action, this choice are key and do, indeed, make all the difference. My very best to you…Ted